Accountants in lower local govts urged to uphold integrity
“Every local government program, whether in infrastructure areas or agriculture, is executed through the accounts offices. However, the effectiveness of these programs relies entirely on how they track, record and report their expenditures.”
Some of the lower local government accountants from selected districts pose for a photo after a training session. (Photo by Wilson Asiimwe)
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Accountants in lower local governments have been urged to uphold integrity and professionalism in the execution of their duties to improve service delivery.
Speaking to accountants from selected districts in central, western and northern Uganda during a training on basic bookkeeping skills in Hoima city on Monday (June 22), Silver Tindizirarira, the assistant commissioner for inspection in the Ministry of Local Government, said local governments are at the forefront of service delivery, and that sound financial management is critical to community development.
“Every local government program, whether in infrastructure areas or agriculture, is executed through the accounts offices. However, the effectiveness of these programs relies entirely on how they track, record and report their expenditures,” Tindizirarira said.
Mugisa Katusabe, one of accountants making a point during the training. (Photo by Wilson Asiimwe)
He noted that proper bookkeeping is not merely a legal compliance requirement but also the foundation of public trust and accountability.
Tindizirarira said poor record-keeping often results in delayed audits, unreconciled accounts and ineffective budget utilisation. He added that when financial data is poorly managed, decision-makers are unable to plan prudently.
He explained that the training was designed to bridge capacity gaps, standardise financial coding procedures and equip participants with practical tools to maintain clean, accurate and transparent financial records.
“Over the course of this training, I urge you to be highly engaged, learn the core principles of the accounting cycle, understand your role in handling cash books and ledgers, and ensure compliance with public finance management guidelines,” he said.
Mugisa Katusabe, the treasurer of Kiryandongo Town Council in Kiryandongo district, said the training would help address common reporting errors, especially at a time when many government agencies are transitioning to new accounting systems.
“We have been facing several challenges, which include lots of errors, wrong coding of revenue, which is a very big challenge for most people, and the local government mandates the town councils, sub-counties, to prepare the financial statements at every end of the financial year,” Katusabe said.